Local teen drowns at Factory Shoals Park Saturday

Second death this year at the shoals

An 18-year-old Newton County teen died Saturday afternoon after jumping into the waters at Factory Shoals Park.

Dakota A. Spruill reportedly jumped into the Alcovy River at around 2 p.m. at an area referred to as "The Rock." According to Newton County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Corporal Anthony Washington, witnesses said they saw Spruill jump into the water but they never saw him surface.

"They saw his cap floating in the water and jumped in, attempting to locate him," said Washington. Shortly after jumping into the water the witnesses allegedly located Spruill, pulled him from the river and began performing CPR. When EMS arrived at the scene, they took over CPR and transported Spruill to Newton Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

According to Washington, witness statements indicate that Spruill arrived at the park alone and no one knew who he was. It was not until 2 a.m. Sunday morning that he was identified when a family member called the park.

"The employee referred them to the Sheriff’s Office and we spoke with the family members and obtained some information and confirmed that this was their family member who was missing," said Washington.

An autopsy was scheduled to be performed Monday to determine cause of death. Due to lack of rain, the Alcovy River at the shoals was not especially rapid Saturday afternoon, though the area is exceptionally rocky.

As of press time a cause of death for Spruill was not available.

This marks the second death this year at Factory Shoals Park. In April, a 35-year-old Conyers woman drowned when she slipped into the waters there.